In one respect it was better, as it gave him the means of conferring a

kindness where he wished to oblige. With spirits, courage, and

curiosity up to anything, William expressed an inclination to hunt; and

Crawford could mount him without the slightest inconvenience to

himself, and with only some scruples to obviate in Sir Thomas, who knew

better than his nephew the value of such a loan, and some alarms to

reason away in Fanny. She feared for William; by no means convinced by

all that he could relate of his own horsemanship in various countries,

of the scrambling parties in which he had been engaged, the rough

horses and mules he had ridden, or his many narrow escapes from

dreadful falls, that he was at all equal to the management of a

high-fed hunter in an English fox-chase; nor till he returned safe and

well, without accident or discredit, could she be reconciled to the

risk, or feel any of that obligation to Mr. Crawford for lending the

horse which he had fully intended it should produce. When it was

proved, however, to have done William no harm, she could allow it to be

a kindness, and even reward the owner with a smile when the animal was

one minute tendered to his use again; and the next, with the greatest

cordiality, and in a manner not to be resisted, made over to his use

entirely so long as he remained in Northamptonshire.

[End volume one of this edition.

Printed by T. and A. Constable,

Printers to Her Majesty at

the Edinburgh University Press]

CHAPTER XXV

The intercourse of the two families was at this period more nearly

restored to what it had been in the autumn, than any member of the old

intimacy had thought ever likely to be again. The return of Henry

Crawford, and the arrival of William Price, had much to do with it, but

much was still owing to Sir Thomas's more than toleration of the

neighbourly attempts at the Parsonage. His mind, now disengaged from

the cares which had pressed on him at first, was at leisure to find the

Grants and their young inmates really worth visiting; and though

infinitely above scheming or contriving for any the most advantageous

matrimonial establishment that could be among the apparent

possibilities of any one most dear to him, and disdaining even as a

littleness the being quick-sighted on such points, he could not avoid

perceiving, in a grand and careless way, that Mr. Crawford was somewhat

distinguishing his niece--nor perhaps refrain (though unconsciously)

from giving a more willing assent to invitations on that account.

His readiness, however, in agreeing to dine at the Parsonage, when the

general invitation was at last hazarded, after many debates and many

doubts as to whether it were worth while, "because Sir Thomas seemed so

Ill inclined, and Lady Bertram was so indolent!" proceeded from

good-breeding and goodwill alone, and had nothing to do with Mr.

Crawford, but as being one in an agreeable group: for it was in the

course of that very visit that he first began to think that any one in

the habit of such idle observations _would_ _have_ _thought_ that Mr.

Crawford was the admirer of Fanny Price.

The meeting was generally felt to be a pleasant one, being composed in

a good proportion of those who would talk and those who would listen;

and the dinner itself was elegant and plentiful, according to the usual

style of the Grants, and too much according to the usual habits of all

to raise any emotion except in Mrs. Norris, who could never behold

either the wide table or the number of dishes on it with patience, and

who did always contrive to experience some evil from the passing of the

servants behind her chair, and to bring away some fresh conviction of

its being impossible among so many dishes but that some must be cold.

In the evening it was found, according to the predetermination of Mrs.

Grant and her sister, that after making up the whist-table there would

remain sufficient for a round game, and everybody being as perfectly

complying and without a choice as on such occasions they always are,

speculation was decided on almost as soon as whist; and Lady Bertram

soon found herself in the critical situation of being applied to for

her own choice between the games, and being required either to draw a

card for whist or not. She hesitated. Luckily Sir Thomas was at hand.

"What shall I do, Sir Thomas? Whist and speculation; which will amuse

me most?"

Sir Thomas, after a moment's thought, recommended speculation. He was

a whist player himself, and perhaps might feel that it would not much

amuse him to have her for a partner.

"Very well," was her ladyship's contented answer; "then speculation, if

you please, Mrs. Grant. I know nothing about it, but Fanny must teach

me."

Here Fanny interposed, however, with anxious protestations of her own

equal ignorance; she had never played the game nor seen it played in

her life; and Lady Bertram felt a moment's indecision again; but upon

everybody's assuring her that nothing could be so easy, that it was the

easiest game on the cards, and Henry Crawford's stepping forward with a

most earnest request to be allowed to sit between her ladyship and Miss

Price, and teach them both, it was so settled; and Sir Thomas, Mrs.

Norris, and Dr. and Mrs. Grant being seated at the table of prime

intellectual state and dignity, the remaining six, under Miss

Crawford's direction, were arranged round the other. It was a fine

arrangement for Henry Crawford, who was close to Fanny, and with his

hands full of business, having two persons' cards to manage as well as

his own; for though it was impossible for Fanny not to feel herself

mistress of the rules of the game in three minutes, he had yet to

inspirit her play, sharpen her avarice, and harden her heart, which,

especially in any competition with William, was a work of some

difficulty; and as for Lady Bertram, he must continue in charge of all

her fame and fortune through the whole evening; and if quick enough to

keep her from looking at her cards when the deal began, must direct her

in whatever was to be done with them to the end of it.

He was in high spirits, doing everything with happy ease, and

preeminent in all the lively turns, quick resources, and playful

impudence that could do honour to the game; and the round table was

altogether a very comfortable contrast to the steady sobriety and

orderly silence of the other.

Twice had Sir Thomas inquired into the enjoyment and success of his

lady, but in vain; no pause was long enough for the time his measured

manner needed; and very little of her state could be known till Mrs.

Grant was able, at the end of the first rubber, to go to her and pay

her compliments.

"I hope your ladyship is pleased with the game."

"Oh dear, yes! very entertaining indeed. A very odd game. I do not

know what it is all about. I am never to see my cards; and Mr.

Crawford does all the rest."

"Bertram," said Crawford, some time afterwards, taking the opportunity

of a little languor in the game, "I have never told you what happened

to me yesterday in my ride home." They had been hunting together, and

were in the midst of a good run, and at some distance from Mansfield,

when his horse being found to have flung a shoe, Henry Crawford had

been obliged to give up, and make the best of his way back. "I told

you I lost my way after passing that old farmhouse with the yew-trees,

because I can never bear to ask; but I have not told you that, with my

usual luck--for I never do wrong without gaining by it--I found myself